HOW - TO

SERVICING DRUM BRAKES

Tool And Material Checklist

† Brake Cleaner † Vacuum Cleaner with
† Clean Rags HEPA Filter Attachment
† Wheel Chocks † Wheel Cylinder Clamp
† Jack and Jack Stands † Brake Spring Tool
† Wire Brush † Pliers
† Lubricant † Brake Shoes
† Brake Adjusting Tool † Assorted Screwdrivers
† Asbestos-proof Face † Safety Glasses or Goggles
Mask or Particle Mask
* This How-To Guide is designed as a general overview of a vehicle repair procedure. You should always refer to a service
manual designed for your vehicle for detailed instructions. Parts Plus assumes no liability for an
incorrect procedure.
 Most “backyard” mechanics are leery of doing
any brake system maintenance because of the
PREPARATION
importance of brakes to driving safety. Such Because of the work involved, be prepared
maintenance, however, is well within the range of the to do a complete brake job, if necessary, when
do-it-yourselfer. If you study a service manual and you pull the rear drums.
work carefully, you can easily and safely do a complete 1. Make sure that your local shop has the
brake job at home using ordinary tools and necessary parts before beginning.
equipment. 2. Arrange some means of transportation to pick
up the parts.
3. Locate a machine shop that offers “while-you-
THE IMPORTANCE OF wait” service, in case the brake drums must be
SERVICING BRAKES machined. Many auto repair shops and parts stores
have the special lathes and equipment needed
It is not a very safe or economical idea to wait for doing brake machine work.
until your car’s brakes are making loud squealing 4. Gather all necessary tools, as well as the
sounds to finally think about servicing them. For following items:
instance, letting the linings wear too thin causes costly z safety glasses or goggles
damage to the brake drums, which could be avoided z clean rags
by timely replacement of the linings. The only way to z denatured alcohol
be sure of the condition of drum brakes is to regularly z a clean surface (on which to lay out parts)
pull the drums and check the lining thickness. It z paper and pencil (to make sketches of
should be more than 1/8" above the rivets on riveted t h e b r a k e a s s e m b l y, a s a s u p p l e m e n t t o
linings, and 1/8" above the metal on bonded linings. the diagrams in the service manual)
If the linings are soaked with brake fluid, the shoes z Polaroid camera—optional (to make a
should be replaced at the same time the leak is foolproof record of how the assembled
repaired. brake should look)
It is usually recommended that brakes be
inspected at least every 10,000 miles. However,
rear drum brakes normally last about twice as long REMOVING THE
as front disc brakes. If you know when the rear brakes
were last checked, you can get by with inspecting them
BRAKE DRUM
every other time you inspect the front brakes. But 1. Block the front wheels and set the parking
do not hesitate to pull the rear drums at the first sign brake to keep the vehicle from rolling.
of any brake problem. 2. Use a large screwdriver to remove the rear
NOTE: Whenever the brakes are serviced, wheel covers.
be sure to make a thorough check for leaks in 3. Use the wrench end of the jack handle as a
the system. socket wrench to loosen the lug nuts on both rear
wheels approximately one Tj6w(RE0.015 Tc0KE DRUM)T
 8. Try to pull the drum free while rotating it
slightly forward.
NOTE: Sometimes the brake adjustment must be
backed off before the drums can be pulled free. To
do this, follow steps 9 through 12.
9. Remove the rubber plugs that cover the
adjustment access slots, which are located on the
backing plate behind the brake assembly. Some cars
have a filled access slot that must be punched out to
gain access to the adjuster.
10. Insert a brake adjusting tool or screwdriver
in the slot.
11. While holding the automatic adjuster lever
away from the star wheel with a small screwdriver, 2. Inspect the linings for looseness, cracks, or
turn the adjuster up until the drum turns freely. imbedded foreign matter. Watch for brake fluid, oil,
12. Give the adjuster four or five good turns to or grease on the linings.
make sure the brakes are completely backed off. 3. Measure the linings to see if they have worn
13. If the drum still will not pull free, try backing thinner than 1/8". If necessary, replace the linings.
off on the parking brake cable. Keep in mind that 4. Check the brake shoes for cracks, distortion,
the drum might be rusted to the wheel hub; if this or broken parts. Defective shoes must be replaced.
is the case, seek the help of a professional mechanic. 5. Make sure all springs and fasteners are
securely in place and undamaged. Repair or replace
as needed.

6. Check for any signs of leakage from the wheel

cylinder. If any leakage is apparent, have the brakes
INSPECTION inspected by a professional.
7. Clean the brake drums with a soap and water
Once the drum is removed, the brakes are
solution.
inspected in the following manner:
8. Inspect the inside surfaces of the drums for
1. Use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter
heat discoloration, cracks, or scratches large enough
attachment to remove the asbestos dust from the
to catch a fingernail. If the drums are worn, they
brake assembly and interior of the brake drum.
should be taken to a machine shop and “turned.”
NOTE: Wear a special particle mask or asbestos-
9. Check the flexible brake hoses for crimping
proof facemask to do this, because asbestos is a health
or other damage. Replace as needed.
hazard when inhaled. Never use compressed air to
remove asbestos dust.
 7. Sketch the star wheel adjusting mechanism,
noting the location of the star wheel in reference to
the brake shoes. The star will be closer to one shoe
than the other.
8. Remove the entire brake shoe assembly from
the backing plate. The primary and secondary shoes,
star adjuster, and connecting spring should come out
as a unit.
9. Disconnect the spring and star wheel adjuster
from the brake shoes.

INSTALLING BRAKE
LININGS
Non-asbestos brake linings are available for use
on most vehicles made today. When replacement
linings are needed, it is wise to install good-quality
brake shoes as well. While relined shoes are a little
less expensive, the brakes are only as good as their
linings.
 20. Put the tires back on, then take the vehicle
for a test drive. If there are no unusual noises and
the braking action is good, the job is finished.
NOTE: Always take it easy on new linings for the
first couple hundred miles to give them a chance to
wear in.

11. Before reconnecting the parking brake cable,

make sure that it is free by applying and releasing it;
the cable should return to its normal position.
12. If not, disconnect the opposite end of the cable
from the front parking brake cable. Clean and
lubricate the front of the rear cable, then pull the
lever and cable out of the braking plate and clean
and lubricate the rear portion.
13. Pull the cable forward and connect the front
cable, then attach the parking brake lever to the
replacement secondary shoe.
14. Reinstall the cable, tension spring, and self-
ADJUSTING BRAKES
adjusting lever of the self-adjusting brake mechanism New brakes need to be adjusted several times as
(if the car is so equipped). they wear in. While the self-adjusters normally handle
15. Use a brake hold-down spring tool to reinstall this when the car is driven in reverse and
the two brake shoe return springs. when the brakes are applied, it is a good idea to
16. Grasping the shoe nearest the star adjuster, perform the initial adjustment manually; this is
move the shoes back and forth to make sure that they considered standard procedure by most professional
are free to assume a normal position during operation. mechanics. To do this, use a brake adjusting tool or
17. Check the operation of the automatic star screwdriver as explained earlier. With the parking
adjuster; the shoes should expand when the adjuster brake off, turn the adjusting wheel until the brake
cable is pulled or released. Repeat on the other wheel. tightens up all the way. Then back off the adjustment
18. Once the brake drums have been replaced, until the wheel turns freely. Be sure to back off both
adjust the parking brake by releasing it and turning brakes the same amount to equalize them.
the cable-adjusting nut clockwise until the rear wheels
turn freely.
19. Have someone operate the pedal while you spin
both drums by hand to be sure the brakes work.